Ads for Massachusetts Housing Partnership in Boston, MA

NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS November 6, 2024 Massachusetts Housing Partnership 160 Federal Street Boston, MA 02110 857-317-8556 This notice shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by Massachusetts Housing Partnership (MHP). REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS On or about November 22, 2024, MHP will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of HUD Federal Financing Bank Treasury Risk Share to be utilized for a project known as River Lofts at Cable Mills, located at 250 Water Street, Williamstown, MA. The subject property is a vacant piece of land comprised of a parking lot, green space, walkway, and vegetation. The proposed activities at the subject property include new construction of a four story, 54-unit multi family residential building, retaining walls, path and concrete walkways, public deck, parking lots and underground parking garage, landscaping, and utility connections. Post-renovation radon testing will take place and if levels meet or exceed the EPA's threshold of 4.0 picocuries/liter, a radon mitigation system will be installed and activated in the building and additional radon tests will be performed to ensure levels are below the EPA's threshold. The site of the proposed residential building is within the Boston Finishing Works Historic District which is individually listed in the State and National Registers of Historic Places. The Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC) reviewed the currently proposed project and made a determination of no adverse effect. The consultation process with tribes with interest in this project is ongoing. The total estimated project cost is approximately $35,824,432 and of that the risk share loan will be approximately $7,300,000. Public notification for other federal funds used at the site have been published separately. FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT MHP has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) on file at MHP, 160 Federal Street, Boston, MA 02110. The ERR may be examined or copied at this location weekdays from 9am to 4pm or via email at aroe@mhp.net. PUBLIC COMMENTS Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to MHP, 160 Federal Street, Boston, MA 02110 or via email at aroe@mhp.net. All comments received by November 21, 2024 will be considered by MHP prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing. ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION MHP certifies to HUD that Clark Ziegler in his capacity as Executive Director, consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD's approval of the certifications satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities, and allows the project to use HUD program funds for the purpose specified. OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and MHP's certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Executive Director of MHP; (b) MHP has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the project have committed funds or incurred costs not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed the HUD Director of Community Planning and Development CPD_COVID-19OEE-BOS@hud.gov for the Risk Share funds. Potential objectors should contact the CPD Director at HUD Boston to verify the actual last day of the objection period. AD# 11/06/2024